Dental costs in Palo Alto, CA: local dentist prices

Observed negotiated prices for 8 treatments from dental practices located in Palo Alto.

Treatments priced

in this city

Largest sample

practices

State

California

see statewide data

Observed dataObserved negotiated rates. Every figure here is a real negotiated amount taken from payer files published under the federal Transparency in Coverage rule. These are what a dental plan pays a contracted practice - not a cash price.

Estimated self-payEstimated self-pay range, not an observation. We do not have observed cash prices, and we will not present a modelled number as though we did. This range is the upper half of the same observed negotiated distribution, shown because an uninsured patient generally pays at or above the highest negotiated tier. Treat it as a budgeting aid and ask any practice for a written quote.

Observed prices in Palo Alto

Negotiated columns are observed. The self-pay column is an estimate derived from the upper half of the same distribution — see methodology. Column headings sort the table.
Treatment	Negotiated range Observed	Median	Practices (n)	Est. self-pay Estimated
Partial lower denture with metal frame	$1,091 – $1,370	$1,227	8	$1,227 – $1,479
All-ceramic crown	$826 – $1,009	$986	8	$986 – $1,061
Ceramic crown on an implant abutment	$900 – $1,179	$980	8	$980 – $1,288
Root canal, premolar	$658 – $761	$720	8	$720 – $805
Root canal, front tooth	$567 – $653	$601	8	$601 – $685
Partly-impacted wisdom tooth removal	$308 – $354	$337	8	$337 – $368
Core build-up under a crown	$147 – $219	$186	8	$186 – $224
Silver filling, two surfaces	$111 – $153	$124	8	$124 – $156

Palo Alto compared with California

Across the 8 treatments we can price in both Palo Alto and California as a whole, 7 run above the state median and 1 below. The largest local saving is on Ceramic crown on an implant abutment: $980 here against $1,001 statewide.

See the California state page for the full statewide picture and every other published city.

What shopping around is worth in Palo Alto

Every figure on this site is a distribution, not an average, so the gap between the cheaper and dearer end of the local market can be stated in dollars. On Ceramic crown on an implant abutment alone, the difference between a practice at the 25th percentile and one at the 75th is $279. Across the 6 treatments below it comes to $1,002.

Observed negotiated prices in Palo Alto, CA. The gap is what moving from an expensive practice to a cheaper one is worth for the same treatment.
Treatment	Lower end (25th)	Upper end (75th)	Gap	Practices (n)
Ceramic crown on an implant abutment	$900	$1,179	$279	8
Partial lower denture with metal frame	$1,091	$1,370	$279	8
All-ceramic crown	$826	$1,009	$183	8
Root canal, premolar	$658	$761	$103	8
Root canal, front tooth	$567	$653	$86	8
Core build-up under a crown	$147	$219	$72	8

This is an argument for collecting itemised written quotes rather than accepting the first, particularly on the larger items — see how to read a treatment plan.

Lower-cost care in Palo Alto

These are federally funded health centres in Palo Alto. They charge on a sliding scale based on your income, which usually makes them the cheapest route if you are uninsured. The federal dataset does not record which sites provide dentistry — many do, but call first and ask specifically about dental services and sliding-scale eligibility.

Active federally funded health centre sites in Palo Alto. Source: HRSA.
Health centre	Address	Contact
Mayview Community Health Center Palo Alto a member of Ravenswood Family Health Network	270 Grant Ave	(650) 327-8717
Peninsula Healthcare Connection	33 Encina Ave, Apartment 103	(650) 853-0321 · Website
Valley Health Center - North County	4151 Middlefield Rd	(669) 663-4017

California has 2,758 such sites statewide — see the California page.

Other cities in California

Bakersfield Los Angeles Torrance Modesto San Diego Murrieta Redlands Downey Burbank San Mateo Glendale San Francisco Huntington Beach San Jose Aliso Viejo Riverside Irvine Anaheim Fresno Elk Grove Roseville Oxnard Sacramento Santa Monica Sherman Oaks Long Beach Visalia Whittier Redding West Covina Encino El Cerrito Davis Santa Ana Mission Viejo Orange Antioch Loma Linda Pasadena Stockton Oakland Santa Rosa Salinas Colton Arcadia Palmdale Santa Clarita Fremont Chula Vista Escondido Corona Lakewood Napa Santa Barbara Tustin Beverly Hills La Mirada Sunnyvale Walnut Creek Garden Grove Rowland Heights Concord Fontana Camarillo Ontario Rancho Cucamonga Lancaster San Bernardino Laguna Hills Hilmar San Marcos Huntington Park Chino Tracy North Hollywood Temecula Encinitas Ventura Manteca Berkeley Cerritos San Jacinto Martinez Milpitas Upland Lake Forest Woodland Hills Cypress Van Nuys Wildomar Newport Beach Carson Fountain Valley Moreno Valley Culver City Altadena Chino Hills Glendora Bellflower Fullerton Cupertino Menlo Park Alhambra Pleasanton Folsom Canoga Park Thousand Oaks Clovis

California overview · All treatments · Methodology

Common questions

How many Palo Alto practices are behind these figures?

Between 8 and 8 depending on the treatment, shown per row above. A Palo Alto figure is published only when at least 8 separate practices in the city carried a negotiated rate for it.

Will a Palo Alto dentist charge me these amounts?

Not if you are paying cash. These are rates negotiated between plans and contracted practices in Palo Alto. Uninsured patients are normally quoted higher. Ask any practice for an itemised written quote — that is the only number that binds them.